- The speaker was looking for a negative sounding word and may have linked the similar word 'wretched' to help express a derogatory meaning. The user may have chosen to create this word in order to emphasize the uniquely ragged appearance of the subject,rather than rely on a word that would not fully express her negative feelings.
ratchet
adjective; other word formation type
of or pertaining to being overly and distastefully dressed, particularly referring to a woman’s hair and make-up
Etymology : novel word possibly from the similar sounds evoked as the words wretched and ragged
Source : Why did that ratchet looking woman leave her house that way? University of Louisiana undergraduate (October 2008)
Last modified: 4 December 2008